What are our motives to love our neighbor? Is it coming out of a feeling we have to do it to be good Christians or to do the right thing? Is it coming from getting benefits out for ourselves? These are just 2 examples, but there could be many reasons that motivate us, good and bad.
It is important to assess the reason why we want to do something, because through it we can see more of our heart and true motivations. Of course, we all would find something that we don’t necessarily like in us. When we look at the life time of Jesus we notice as well that people had motivations to do certain things. That is one reason why he was upset with the strict religious group of that time who put many rules and regulations on everyone which in the process made the people do things out of fear and not out of love. When we look at Jesus on the other side we notice that the things He did came out of love and relationship. He had a true relationship with his disciples and also a true love for them. He did not try to sell them something or manipulate them into a certain direction. The disciples wanted to follow Him and be friends because He was real and they felt inspired to live the way Jesus does. Of course, His heart was always that people truly find the truth and the Father, but He didn’t push it. That truth is the same for when you connect with your neighbors. Become a true friend with them. Don’t build a friendship just to evangelize. Build a friendship because you really care about them and want to get to know them better. True friendships open the door for honest conversation and ways to share your faith, but the friendship has to be honest first!!
So here are a few things to ponder on:
- What is your motivation?
- Do you have a love for your neighbors? if not ask God to give you love for them!!
- What does it mean to you being a true friend? Discuss this with 2 other people you know. Doesn’t have to be Christian friends.
Hey our friend
We hope your new year is going really great so far!! Today (Monday) the north beach DTS Students will officially start working with us. The first week can be sometimes challenging since everything is new and different. Pray for a good start in the neighborhood for them and time of growth to get a heart for their own communities. This Friday we will also have the first Haeusser Hangout for the New Year which is awesome!! We really look forward to connect with everyone from that wonderful group! Haeusser is our name but also the German word for houses, and since it is multiple ones you should start one at your house too!!
Have a wonderful week and remember that God placed amazing gifts in you!!
Markus and Jen